PRINCE2F People: organizations, teams, and leadership Practice Question
In PRINCE2, what is the difference between a Request for Change (RFC) and an Off-specification?
⚠ Common exam trap
In PRINCE2 exams, candidates often confuse RFC and Off-specification as synonyms or think one is always approved/rejected. The key trap is forgetting that an RFC proposes a change to a baseline, while an Off-specification reports a product not meeting its specification.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
An RFC proposes a change to an agreed baseline; an Off-specification identifies a product that does not meet its specification
In PRINCE2, a Request for Change (RFC) is a formal proposal to modify a product or process that has already been baselined, while an Off-specification is a notification that a product does not meet its agreed specification. Option D correctly captures this distinction: an RFC seeks to change the baseline, whereas an Off-specification identifies a deviation from the existing specification. This is a core concept in PRINCE2's change control approach, ensuring that baselines are protected and issues are properly categorized.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
There is no difference; they are interchangeable terms
Why it's wrong here
They are distinct concepts.
- ✗
An RFC is always approved; an Off-specification is always rejected
Why it's wrong here
Both can be approved or rejected.
- ✗
An RFC is raised by the Project Board; an Off-specification is raised by the Project Manager
Why it's wrong here
Both can be raised by anyone.
- ✓
An RFC proposes a change to an agreed baseline; an Off-specification identifies a product that does not meet its specification
Why this is correct
Correct distinction.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This PRINCE2F practice question is part of Courseiva's free PeopleCert certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the PRINCE2F exam.